GIVE ME YOUR “ACRONYM” FOR “CHRISTmas”

MI DAILY DEVOTION

FRIDAY

GIVE ME YOUR “ACRONYM” FOR “CHRISTmas”

 “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

If you’re a Christian and you don’t believe in CHRISTmas or you don’t celebrate CHRISTmas for some reasons; I believe you’re missing a lot of good things about CHRISTmas and all the blessings of CHRISTmas. I’ve seen thousands of people that came to know the Lord because of CHRISTmas messages or presentation. Here’s my Acronym for CHRISTmas:

C- Christ was born to die for you and me.

H- Hope, joy and peace He brings for you today.

R- Rejoice ye Christians, and all human race for God’s salvation is

      nigh.

I- Invite your friends with haste unto God’s place.

S- Shepherds sang as they followed the stars. In obedient to God’s

     Word as the prophecies unfolds.

T- Treasures was brought down by the wise men with a worshipful

     heart. They offered Him honor, glory and praise.

M- Men of honor and wise in heart. They came in obedience and love

      for Christ.

A- An angels’ announcement about the birth of God’s Son; stir the

     hearts of Christians, but fear on king Herod and his men.

S- Savior and the King of kings in a manger; in

     Bethlehem He came to save us from our sins.

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” (Matthew 2:10)

     

WAY TO GO… JOSEPH!

MI DAILY DEVOTION

THURSDAY

WAY TO GO… JOSEPH!

(Matthew 2:13) “And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”

When Jesus was talking to His disciples and to the people around Him in a village of the Samaritans in (Luke 9:58) He said; “And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” From the time Mary was pregnant up to her due date, Mary, Joseph and Jesus was homeless. Notice the response of Joseph as the Lord tested his knowledge, his wisdom and the depths of his love and his conviction for the Word of God. His response:

1- Joseph was obedient and positive. (Matthew 1:18- 19 and 2:13- 14)

2- Joseph did not let fear control him and he was not overcome by fear. (Matthew 1:20; II Timothy 1:7)

3- Joseph learned to listen to the angels of God. (Matthew 1:20- 25; 2:13- 14)

4- Joseph learned to exercise his self control in spite of the struggles, problems, criticism and trials in life. (Matthew 2:14; 21)

5- Joseph took the steps of faith. From the time he took Mary up to the time where they have to flee into Egypt to escape from Herod’s deadly wrath. (Matthew 2:13- 15)

(Matthew 2:19- 20) 19- “But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20- Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.”

JOSEPH- IN A ROUGH ROAD OF HIS LIFE

MI DAILY DEVOTION

WEDNESDAY

JOSEPH- IN A ROUGH ROAD OF HIS LIFE

(Matthew 1:19) “Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.”

It was not easy for Joseph as well as for Mary and the shepherds. Even for the wise men, it was not an easy road for them to follow the star and to obey the will of God. Notice verse 19- “…and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.” I assume that Mary and Joseph may have a little discussion and may be an argument over Joseph’s idea of putting her away due to her early pregnancy. ^4- In verse 20- “But while he thought on these things…” It was not an easy road for Joseph, it was hard for him and Mary that the Bible through the working of the Holy Spirit had it mentioned in (Matthew 1:20) Notice the preceding phrase in verse 20- “fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife:” ^5- Then comes the spiritual struggle of Joseph. We may have read this over and over every CHRISTmas day, but for Joseph; it was a different story and perspective. “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” It means that God has chosen him (Joseph) to stand as a father of Jesus and God was entrusting to Joseph the physical, emotional, spiritual upbringing of the Savior of the world. You may be in a rough road of life this CHRISTmas, remember God is with us and He will help us as we walk through the trials and problems in life. It was an honor, a great privilege, an opportunity to serve, but it comes with a great responsibility. And Joseph has to take the responsibility because of these reasons; “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” (Matthew 1:22- 23)

WAS THE BLESSED VIRGIN AWARE OF THE STRUGGLING BACHELOR’S PERSONAL DEALINGS WITH THE ANGELS?

MI DAILY DEVOTION

TUESDAY

WAS THE BLESSED VIRGIN AWARE OF THE STRUGGLING BACHELOR’S PERSONAL DEALINGS WITH THE ANGELS?

(Matthew 1:25) “And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.”

According to Matthew Henry; “If we know not the way of the Spirit in the formation of common persons, nor how the bones are formed in the womb of any one that is with child (Ecclesiastes 11:5), much less do we know how the blessed Jesus was formed in the womb of the blessed virgin. When David admires how he himself was made in secret, and curiously wrought (Psalm 139:13–16), perhaps he speaks in the spirit of Christ’s incarnation. Some circumstances attending the birth of Christ we find here which are not in Luke, though it is more largely recorded here. Here we have, I. Mary’s espousal to Joseph. Mary, the mother of our Lord, (in the flesh, of the Holy Spirit) was espoused to Joseph, not completely married, but contracted; a purpose of marriage solemnly declared in words de futuro—that regarding the future, and a promise of it made if God permit. We read of a man who has betrothed a wife and has not taken her, (Deuteronomy 20:7). Christ was born of a virgin, but a betrothed virgin, 1. To put respect upon the marriage state, and to recommend it as honourable among all, against that doctrine of devils which forbids to marry, and places perfection in the single state. Who more highly favoured than Mary was in her espousals? 2. To save the credit of the blessed virgin, which otherwise would have been exposed. It was fit that her conception should be protected by a marriage, and so justified in the eye of the world. One of the ancients says, It was better it should be asked, Is not this the son of a carpenter? than, Is not this the son of a harlot?(The Bible Collection) (Matthew 1:24) “Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:”

LET’S DIG ON JOSEPH’S UPS AND DOWN

MI DAILY DEVOTION

MONDAY

LET’S DIG ON JOSEPH’S UPS AND DOWN

(Luke 2:4) “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)”

Notice the stages of Joseph’s emotion from the time he was engaged to Mary up to the time where they have to leave Bethlehem. In verse 18- “…When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together…” 1) - Imagine the joy and the excitement of Joseph being engaged to Mary. 2) - And then the gear had shift to something that was new and unknown to Joseph; he was told that Mary “was found with child of the Holy Ghost.” It’s common for men to be informed by their fiancée or ob gyn doctor about the pregnancy of their girlfriend; but to be informed by the angel of the Lord; it would be a different story. Joseph’s big questions of the day could be; “How in the world did she get pregnant?” How did it happen and what do you mean of “she was found with child of the Holy Ghost ... and for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.” 3) – Verse 19- “Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.” You can feel the emotional and mental torture that Joseph was going through in the midst of what God had bid him do. We know that he was doing the will of God, but that does not spare him from the emotional pain and the ridicule of the people. Praise God for those who will play the role of Joseph in a CHRISTmas cantata or CHRISTmas play; but I believe you can play the role of Joseph better if you will think of his actual condition and situation on that day. We just started the roller coaster ride with Joseph as the main driver, but God was the one who control the wheels. (John 1:13) “Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

THE CRESCENDO OF JOSEPH’S LIFE BEFORE AND AFTER CHRISTmas!

MI DAILY DEVOTION

SUNDAY

THE CRESCENDO OF JOSEPH’S LIFE BEFORE AND AFTER CHRISTmas!

(Matthew 1:16) “And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.”

What happened to Mary and Joseph was absolutely the hand of God and we cannot argue about it. It’s the truth, it was the will of God, it was factual and we have the records from the Word of God. According to Dictionary.com “Crescendo” means “the climactic point or moment in such an increase; peak” Now, let me put it this way; the climactic point in Joseph’s life before and after CHRISTmas. If Joseph was not a mature, godly, loving and dedicated servant of God, I don’t think he would make it to the end of the CHRISTmas action and drama. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had their own series of events in their lifetime. Even Samson has his own love story, suspenseful circumstances, action and drama, as well as surprises from the Lord. Imagine the feelings of those who received a note from their organization or company, from their church or mission board with the indication of either losing a support or losing a job. I was on the same situation few years ago, and it was so discouraging and I was devastated. At the time of this writing; thousands are suffering and was declared dead from the flash flood in the Southern part of the Philippines. I know it’s hard to reconcile the discouraging news in your life and the devastations in many parts of the world right now, as compared to what the angels said on that first CHRISTmas day. (Luke 2:10; 14; Matthew 1:23) 10- “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 14- Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” 23- “…and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” But God will be with us and He will help us.  We are going to study the series of events in Joseph’s life...

THE 7 PROCLAMATIONS OF THE

MI DAILY DEVOTION

SATURDAY

THE 7 PROCLAMATIONS OF THE

ANGELS OF GOD ON FIRST CHRISTmas DAY

(Luke 2:11) “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

The angels of God has a big part on CHRISTmas day.

1- The Angel Proclaimed the Salvation through the Savior that was Born in Bethlehem. (Luke 1:31; 2:11; 28- 30) 28- “Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29- Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30- For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,”

2- The Angel Proclaimed the Greatness of Jesus. (1:32) “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:”

3- The Angel Proclaimed the Authority of Jesus. (Luke 1:33; Revelation 3:7)) 33- “And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” 7- “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;”

4- The Angel Proclaimed that Jesus would be born of a Virgin. (1:27) “To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.”

5- The Angel Proclaimed that Jesus will Bring Good Tidings of Great Joy. (Luke 2:10) “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”

6- The Angel Proclaimed that Jesus will Bring Peace on Earth and Goodwill toward Men. (Luke 2:14) “…Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

7- The Angel Proclaimed the Jesus is the King of an Everlasting Kingdom. (Luke 1:33) “And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”